Page 8 of Cosmic Power

“My Lord, we just though—”

Luther raised his hand again, demanding silence. “I’m not asking you,” he chided.

Darius winced and lowered his head in submission.

He didn’t like to scold Darius. Being the youngest of his Elite Guards, Luther saw him as the ‘baby’ of the group. He was still so unsure of himself and tended to follow the lead of others. Especially Maddox. Almost as if he was too afraid to take some initiative and think for himself, in case he made the wrong decision.

Until he grew more comfortable in his own skin and learnt to challenge the word of those older and more powerful than himself, he would always be a follower. If Maddox said it would be fine to leave Ophelia and return, he would believe it.

Luther stared pointedly at Maddox, keeping his dark eyes on the blonde vampire as he finished the rest of his drink. “I’m waiting,” he whispered darkly.

Maddox had the good sense to look a little uneasy, a tinge of fear tainting his scent. “Like I said, I didn’t think—”

The glass in Luther’s hand shattered and he was up in an instant, appearing in front of Maddox quicker than he could blink. He wrapped a hand around Maddox’s throat and slammed him so hard into the wall the plaster cracked, photo frames falling to the ground and the glass shattering into pieces.

“Your orders were not to think!” Luther snarled, power crackling from his body and lashing out like a bullwhip. “Your orders were to follow. Monitor. Gather information. Not do whatever the fuck you want.” His control on his anger snapped and he squeezed tight, shattering Maddox’s windpipe.

Maddox choked and gagged on his own blood as it oozed out of his mouth.

“I have had it with your insolence Maddox, your disrespect. I should just kill you now. Be done with you,” Luther spat, looking him up and down with disgust.

Sure, killing him now would put a wrench in his plan to expose Leilani, but maybe that was for the better. Luther wasn’t sure if he could continue to rein in his anger when it came to the vampire.

Fear and panic swirled in Maddox’s eyes as he finally came to realise just how far he had pushed Luther. He clawed savagely at Luther’s hand, trying desperately to free himself from his ironclad grip.

“Please,” he rasped, tears welling in his eyes. “I-I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not. You just don’t want me to kill you.” Luther’s eyes flicked to the blood dripping down Maddox’s chin. His fangs descended and a low, terrifying growl ripped from his throat. “Too bad I’m going to do it anyway.” He slowly leaned in, enjoying the way Maddox squirmed to try and get away from him.

A knock at the front door made Luther freeze, his fangs only mere inches from Maddox’s carotid artery. Irritated, he lifted his head slightly and frowned.

Who the fuck could that be?

The only people who knew he was here were his Elite Guards—and Ophelia and Axel had no need to knock.

Luther stepped back and stretched his arm out fully, holding Maddox up against the wall by his throat easily. The vampire’s feet dangled above the ground and his face turned red from the lack of oxygen.

Good.

“Find out who’s at the door, Darius,” Luther commanded harshly.

Sarah and Clive had retired for the evening and Luther did not have the patience to wait for them to waddle downstairs and answer the door.

Margaret cleared her throat. “Um, my Lord?”

Luther glanced her way, arching an eyebrow. “Yes, Margherita?”

“You may want to loosen your hold. I think he’s going to pass out.”

“If he passes out, he passes out. I couldn’t care less.”

Maddox whimpered. His struggles lessened in strength, his claws feebly scratching at Luther’s hand.

“You’re letting that temper of yours—”

“Careful, Margherita,” he warned, darkness in his words. “I may tolerate that smart mouth of yours, but do not think that gives you the right to disrespect me.”

“Jeez Louise. You’ve been such a sour puss since Zamorra left,” Margaret muttered under her breath.

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